MATT VANKIRK
AGE – 24
HEIGHT / WEIGHT – 5′ 11″ 150lbs
HOMETOWN – Marysville, WA
OCCUPATION – Information Technology
VEHICLE – 1989 Nissan 240SX
OUTPUT – 530WHP / 650TQ Tuned by Dom Acia
ACCOLADES
EVERGREEN DRIFT 2015
1st Place Overall Championship
DRIFTCON 2015
1st Place Team Tandem
2nd Place 3/8 Tandem
DRIFTCON AFTERDARK 2015
1st Place 3/8 Tandem
Matt Vankirk started drifting in 2011 and realized early on that it was something he loved. After a full year of getting accustomed to the motorsport he jumped fully into the local Formula Drift Pro-Am series with a stock engine Nissan 240SX in 2012.
Over the next three years he built the car you see on this page. It wasn’t always pretty and it was last year that he unveiled the updated body that was transformed with the help of Villins Kustoms (a fully airbrushed paint job). He also figured out some of the bugs with the engine and drivetrain and was highly competitive at every event he attended in 2015.
After countless nights preparing and long days at the track he was able to finish his ProAm season in first place – netting him a Formula Drift Pro2 license. Matt has become most well-known for his aggressive driving style and insanely close proximity in tandem battles.
For 2016 Matt plans on competing in local events for fun and if funds and transportation is available he will be competing in the full Pro2 circuit.
Photos by ImportMeet.com & Shinchoku. Profile photo by Justin Gepner.
SPONSORS
Ivan Tsang
Engage Autosports
Villins Kustoms
Luis Salazar
GetADomTune – Dom Acia
Diversity Law
Shinchoku
MODIFICATIONS
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
GM LQ4 6.0L V8 / T56 Transmission
CXRacing S13 Mount Kit
CXRacing Oil Pan
HP Tuners Engine Management
Twin CXRacing TD05-16g’s – 8psi
Engage Autosports Custom Exhaust Manifolds
CXRacing Intercooler w/ Custom Piping
Walbro 255lph fuel pump
Injector Dynamics 1,000cc Injectors
Aeromotive Fuel Pressure Regulator
Blitz BOV
Exedy Hyper Twin Plate Clutch GT04SD
Custom Driveshaft
EXTERIOR / INTERIOR
BN Sports Blister Widebody Kit
BN Sports Ferrari Hatch
Fineline Tuning Rocket Bunny Spoiler and Hood Vent
Villins Kustoms Airbrushed Paint Job
Luis Salazar Tubed Front End
Varrstoen ES2 18×9 ½ +20 Front / 18×10 ½ +12 Rear
SUSPENSION / BRAKES
Fortune Auto 500 Coilovers w/ Swift Springs 8/6kg
TDP Knuckles
Circuit Sport Adjustable LCA’s
PBM Steering Rack Bushings
Era 1 Rear Drop Knuckles w/ Dual Caliper
Engage Autosports Hydraulic E-brake
Z32 Brakes
Circuit Sport Rear Toe Link
Circuit Sport Traction Rod
Circuit Sport Rear UCA
Q45 Welded Differential
